Michael (Mini) Spoenlein of Glace Bay, left, battles with Lyndon Whitlock of Hamilton, Ont., on Saturday in the main event of the Extreme Cage Combat 21 fight card in Halifax. Spoenlein lost by unanimous decision to Whitlock, dropping his professional record to 3-1.

Spoenlein suffered his first setback as a professional fighter, dropping to 3-1 following a main-event loss to Lyndon Whitlock of Hamilton, Ont. (9-4). Whitlock won the bout by unanimous decision.

“It was a good fight for me. I tested my chin against a really heavy hitter and a really big guy,” said Spoenlein, 20. “I got to test my skills against a very well-rounded, very tested opponent who’s been in there with a lot of guys.

“I learned a lot about myself. I went in and my last match was all ground fighting and this fight was a standup fight from start to finish. It was good to go in there and test my cardio and test my striking with a good striker. We’re going to learn lots and come back stronger than before.”

Spoenlein, who stands 5-6, said Whitlock had a height advantage of a couple of inches, something that took him out of rhythm.

“That’s one thing I knew I didn’t do enough of, throw combinations with my boxing, especially in that third round,” he said.

The third round, says Spoenlein, tipped the match in Whitlock’s favour. Spoenlein scored a takedown early in the fight, but Whitlock countered with a couple of his own.

“The striking was fairly close. I didn’t put my combinations together like I should have, but he also got one quick takedown and stood right back up,” he said. “Even the takedown gets points and it looks good to the judges.”

Spoenlein trains under the watchful eye of coach Kent Peters at ZombieProof Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Martial Arts in Sydney.

Peters said he and his young student are looking to improve from Saturday’s defeat and are ready to move on.

“I'm excited for the future and I already feel bad for his next opponent,” said Peters.

Michael (Mini) Spoenlein of Glace Bay, left, battles with Lyndon Whitlock of Hamilton, Ont., on Saturday in the main event of the Extreme Cage Combat 21 fight card in Halifax. Spoenlein lost by unanimous decision to Whitlock, dropping his professional record to 3-1.